First trip to Germany...

[rustychain]

Morning all,

I've got next week off work and would like to try Europe on the bike for the first time.

My plan is to catch the Hull - Rotterdam ferry tonight. This will give me ~five days riding (I need to be back by Saturday evening next weekend). I'll come home via Calais.

I'll be camping. Happy to find somewhere at the end of the day once I'm ready to retire. I prefer quite, twisty roads over motorways etc. I'm not bothered about attractions - I'm going for the riding and sight seeing from the saddle.

My initial ideas for an itinerary are:

• Tonight - ferry to Rotterdam
• Monday - ride to the Eifel National park. Ride time is about 7 hours based on Kurviger. This route takes me through the national park. There's a camp spot on the far side I've stayed at before which I'll head for.
• Tuesday - ride to the Black Forest. Again this will be about 7 hours riding based on this route. Are there any areas I should visit on the way, such as the Vulkan Eifel area?
• Wednesday - explore the Black Forest area - would welcome a route suggestion for the day (200+ miles).
• Thursday - head into France and explore the Vosges mountain range (might start heading to Calais at the end of the day)
• Friday - ride to Calais. The suggested route from Kurviger looks unexciting - should I plan something along the Belgium border? Maybe I should bite the bullet and motorway it?

My plan is to catch Le Shuttle on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Ride back to York, job done.

Any suggestions, ideas or wisdom on the above itinerary very welcome.

Many thanks

 

[wessie]

meet @Doc on the ferry tonight to discuss Germany, he has travelled there widely but he'll try to drag you down to Cochem for a few days. Expect a headache.

My main suggestion, is leave the tent at home.

2nd suggestion: do not wait until you arrive at the Tunnel to buy a ticket. Once you know your intended time to travel, book the ticket online, even if only an hour ahead. It will likely be cheaper.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Morning all,

I've got next week off work and would like to try Europe on the bike for the first time.

My plan is to catch the Hull - Rotterdam ferry tonight. This will give me ~five days riding (I need to be back by Saturday evening next weekend). I'll come home via Calais.

I'll be camping. Happy to find somewhere at the end of the day once I'm ready to retire. I prefer quite, twisty roads over motorways etc. I'm not bothered about attractions - I'm going for the riding and sight seeing from the saddle.

My initial ideas for an itinerary are:

• Tonight - ferry to Rotterdam
• Monday - ride to the Eifel National park. Ride time is about 7 hours based on Kurviger. This route takes me through the national park. There's a camp spot on the far side I've stayed at before which I'll head for.
• Tuesday - ride to the Black Forest. Again this will be about 7 hours riding based on this route. Are there any areas I should visit on the way, such as the Vulkan Eifel area?
• Wednesday - explore the Black Forest area - would welcome a route suggestion for the day (200+ miles).
• Thursday - head into France and explore the Vosges mountain range (might start heading to Calais at the end of the day)
• Friday - ride to Calais. The suggested route from Kurviger looks unexciting - should I plan something along the Belgium border? Maybe I should bite the bullet and motorway it?

My plan is to catch Le Shuttle on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Ride back to York, job done.

Any suggestions, ideas or wisdom on the above itinerary very welcome.

Many thanks

Sounds to me like you have a plan in your head, a motorcycle and a credit card.

Sorted

Have a great trip



Maybe of use

View '3Thurs Baden_BadSack' in MyRoute-app!

 

[rustychain]

meet @Doc on the ferry tonight to discuss Germany, he has travelled there widely but he'll try to drag you down to Cochem for a few days. Expect a headache.

My main suggestion, is leave the tent at home.

2nd suggestion: do not wait until you arrive at the Tunnel to buy a ticket. Once you know your intended time to travel, book the ticket online, even if only an hour ahead. It will likely be cheaper.

Thanks Wessie - I'll take the tent but will bale into bricks and mortar if required

And thanks for the tip about the ferry.

Will look our for Doc on the ferry.

 

[rustychain]

Sounds to me like you have a plan in your head, a motorcycle and a credit card.

Sorted

Have a great trip



Maybe of use

View '3Thurs Baden_BadSack' in MyRoute-app!

Thanks for that route - brilliant - just what I was after!

 

[Redboots]

There are so many good roads in the Eifel I would forget the Black Forest on this trip. The Eifel/Hunsrück-Hochwald has it all, like this: Marvellous Route
Join us in Cochem
Take yer waterproofs

 

[rustychain]

There are so many good roads in the Eifel I would forget the Black Forest on this trip. The Eifel/Hunsrück-Hochwald has it all, like this: Marvellous Route
Join us in Cochem
Take yer waterproofs

Thanks for the advice Redboots - I'm up for hanging out in that area if there's plenty of riding and exploring to be done!

Cochem seems to be a good location.

Hadn't notice the forecast...gulp.

 

[grantmac]

you cant miss @Doc , he´s the bald twat with the waist coat and patches....
Reference your trip to the Eifel. I have the following suggestion. Your Kurviger route of 7 hours is enough time for you to walk and my suggestion is to avoid Western Holland, Its dreadful....
Suggest to jump on the Motorway from Rotterdam all the way to just south of Eindhoven. It will take about and hour and 45 at the speed limit which by the way across Holland is now 100km/h so just beware.
Stop at a small hotel just off the A2 at Leende which has a great coffee shop where you can sit outside in peace and quiet. Then another short hop on the motorway to Roermond and then start the route to the Eifel. I´ll be heading that way next week with our tour and have done it so many times before. Should take you about 5- 6 hours with stops in total

Eifel is full of campsites. We stay normally at a small hotel in the village of Koerperich just across the border from Luxemburg, Vianden in fact.
There is a small camp site static caravan park in the village but best to check.

Here is the sort of route we normally take down to the Eifel with the coffee stop marked.

Good luck!

 

[Wapping]

2nd suggestion: do not wait until you arrive at the Tunnel to buy a ticket. Once you know your intended time to travel, book the ticket online, even if only an hour ahead. It will likely be cheaper.

I followed two intrepid bikermates in the queue (which extended behind them) who had decided that it was a cunning idea not to buy a return. There then followed lots of complaining as to the price, a failed credit card, attempts to pay part in cash and part by card and Lord knows what else. Twenty five minutes later, the pair of them were done. There then followed the usual, put on helmets, put on gloves, try to decide what to do with the tickets…. They ride amongst us.

 

[grantmac]

...and if you want to join Doc then this is something you can try...all the way down to Cochem

 

[rustychain]

...and if you want to join Doc then this is something you can try...all the way down to Cochem

Thanks for your suggestions and input grantmac, especially the tip about avoiding the western Netherlands.

Heading to Cochem is becoming more appealing...

 

[Doc]

Plenty to do around the Cochem area on the bike and a campsite i believe a short walk from the centre.
If your around your very welcome to join me for a drink and I can pm my number.

 

[rustychain]

Thanks very much for the kind offer Doc.
Just checked and there's a campsite about 15 mins walking from the town.
I'll drop you a message.
Hopefully see you on the ferry tonight - I'm in panic mode as need to pack etc!

 

[Guru Gora]

You’ve got a great plan there.

Insert petrol and ride.

Take credit card and documents.

All you need

 

[Arsey]

Thanks very much for the kind offer Doc.
Just checked and there's a campsite about 15 mins walking from the town.
I'll drop you a message.
Hopefully see you on the ferry tonight - I'm in panic mode as need to pack etc!

Have you checked in yet ? Doc is there eyeing up a scoot .

 

[rustychain]

Not even left home yet - it's a 60 min ride - will set off at 4 pm...

 

[Arsey]

Not even left home yet - it's a 60 min ride - will set off at 4 pm...

What time does the ferry go ? Doc seems to be there a tad early

 

[Wicker]

P&O Hull sails at 2000. Check in from 1600.
I'm heading to Hull tomorrow, then off to Dinant. Probably then mooch about in France

 

[Arsey]

P&O Hull sails at 2000. Check in from 1600.
I'm heading to Hull tomorrow, then off to Dinant. Probably then mooch about in France

That’s an early check in . Do you board early or sit around for hours ?

 

[Wicker]

First time sailing from Hull in 20ish years. Its probably a 6 hour run to the port.
P&O say you have to be at the port at least 90 minutes before sailing. I aim to be there for 1800 so not hanging about too much.